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Head-to-head · 43 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 63% chose UGA. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 43 self-reported decisions and ABA 509 filings.

Choice, not ranking

These are decisions, not opinions. Scholarship offers, location, intended practice, and personal fit are all priced into the split.

43
cross-admits
14
cycles
+14pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 43 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Georgia logo Chose UGA
63%
Chose Emory University Emory University logo
37%

Typical aid · ABA 509 · 2025

per year
$19,460
84.0% get a grant
$36,000
98.0% get a grant
$33,510 net tuition

Cross-admits who enrolled · self-reported, 3-yr award

$63,758
n = 23
$150,000
n = 16
View all-time (136 cross-admits)
45% chose UGA 55% chose Emory University

Trend · UGA's share

2005–2025

Lowest cycle

0%

Highest cycle

80%
14 cycles
100 50 0 05 08 09 10 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 2005: 50% 2008: 30% 2009: 21% 2010: 60% 2014: 0% 2016: 80% 2017: 40% 2018: 60% 2019: 40% 2020: 57% 2021: 45% 2022: 73% 2023: 63% 2025: 64%
UGA #23 · Emory University #30 LSD n≈8/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Georgia logo
UGA
Athens, Georgia
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
USN Rank
#26
#40
LSD Rank
#23 (0.030)
#30 (0.017)
LSAT 25th
159
162
LSAT Median
169
166
LSAT 75th
171
168
GPA Median
3.92
3.82
Acceptance Rate
12.7%
30.1%
Class Size
186
391
Yield Rate
31.2%
33.0%

Financial

Sticker price and scholarship aid
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Georgia logo
UGA
Athens, Georgia
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
Tuition (In-State)
$18,044
$69,510
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$38,944
$69,510
Median Grant
$19,460
$36,000
% Receiving Grants
84.0%
98.0%

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2025 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Georgia logo
UGA
Athens, Georgia
Emory University logo
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
BigLaw (501+)
19.4%
29.5%
Federal Clerkships
9.4%
3.6%
State & Local Clerkships
7.1%
1.3%
Median Salary (Private)
-
-
Employment Rate
95.3%
91.5%
Bar Pass Rate
90.4%
88.4%

Overview

About UGA vs Emory University

Across 43 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 63% enrolled at University of Georgia and 37% at Emory University. The split has shifted +14 points across the tracked cycles.

These numbers reflect every factor that goes into a real decision: scholarship offers, geographic preference, intended practice area, and fit. Choosing one school doesn't mean it's "better" — it means the pool of cross-admits, weighing their options, ended up there more often. Pair this with the scholarship distribution and employment outcomes above for full context.

Looking at a different matchup? Browse all comparisons or run a custom pair from the index.

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Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of Georgia and Emory University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 43 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 43 applicants admitted to both schools, 63% chose to attend University of Georgia. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Georgia is ranked #26 compared to #40 — a gap of 14 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Georgia is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 12.7% compared to Emory University's 30.1%.

Both schools are located in Georgia — University of Georgia in Athens and Emory University in Atlanta — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

Employment outcomes differ substantially: Emory University places 29.5% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 19.4% for the other school. This 10 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, University of Georgia has lower tuition at $18,044 per year compared to $69,510. Combined with employment rates of 95.3% (UGA) and 91.5% (Emory University), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants who enrolled, those choosing Emory University reported a higher median scholarship — $150,000 versus $63,758 over three years — though aid is one of several factors behind the enrollment decision.